Ben Madilynn
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has granted former Iloilo City mayor Jed Mabilog an executive clemency.
This was confirmed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Monday, January 27, 2025.
“In view of former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s long standing commitment to good governance, coupled with awards and recognition received by Iloilo City under his leadership, the President granted Mabilog’s petition for executive clemency in connection with his administrative case, thereby removing the penalties or disabilities resulting from such case,” he said in a statement.
In September, Mabilog returned to the country from the United States and surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
He then has a standing arrest warrant issued by the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Branch 73 and Sandiganbayan Third Division for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which stemmed from the complaint of the Office of the Ombudsman against Mabilog and Iloilo City Councilor Plaridel Nava II after they allegedly used a dummy for the creation of a towing company, which was later awarded with government contracts.
Prosecutors alleged that Mabilog contributed P500,000 as initial capital for the 3L Towing Services, while Nava prepared documents for the firm’s registration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Mabilog was also accused of issuing business and mayor’s permits even without the firm’s application.
Nava also allegedly researched for possible suppliers of wheel clamps from China.
The firm was eventually awarded the agreement with the City Government of Iloilo to undertake clamping and towing of illegally parked vehicles within the city without bidding as provided under Republic Act 6957, the law on financing, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure projects by the private sector.
The Sandiganbayan denied in October 2023 the motion filed by Nava seeking the dismissal of the graft charges filed against him.
Nava argued that he was not a signatory to the agreement entered into by the City and 3L Towing Service.
Following his surrender, Mabilog faced the House of Representatives’ quad committee investigation on the possible link between the proliferation of illegal operations of Pogos, illegal drug trade, anomalous land acquisitions and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Mabilog was among the politicians tagged by Duterte as involved in the illegal drugs operations.
He emotionally maintained his innocence, noting that not a single case was filed against him over the said allegations.
Mabilog said he and his family left the Philippines and sought political asylum in the US due to the intense threats against their lives. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)
